13 Socio-economics and Tourism

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1 Camster II Wind Farm Scoping Report Socio-economics and Tourism 13.1 Introduction The beneficial effects of a wind farm development include the generation of local jobs through use of local contractors for construction and/ or maintenance and increased spend in the local community during the construction stage and to a lesser degree during the operational stage with workers staying in the area and using local facilities. There are few adverse socio-economic effects associated with wind farm development which are limited to effects to tourism and community facilities, core paths and associated impacts on the local economy. Wind farms are known to cause controversy and perception surveys have been undertaken considering the views of tourists visiting areas containing wind farms and local communities living near to wind farms. Potential impacts tourist and community facilities, public rights of way and the local economy will also be considered as part of this assessment Existing Environment Economy The Camster II Wind Farm is located approximately 7km southwest of Wick. The immediate surrounding area is sparsely populated with the settlements of Tannach to the east and Badlipster located just outside the land available for development. Settlements within a 5km study area will be considered as part of this assessment. This will consider effects as a result of the proposed development such as job creation and use of local services Public Access The land available for development comprises a number of gravel and forest roads suitable for mountain bikers, hikers and horse riding. A car park lies to the south west of the land available for development, approximately 1 mile north of the Grey Cairns of Camster, which leads to a footpath that bisects the entire site (from west to east) ending at Tannach Public Perception Desk based research based on the Summary of Opinion Surveys (BWEA, 2008) and Attitudes and Knowledge of Renewable Energy amongst the General Public (TNS, 2003) publications has shown that public perception of wind farms is largely related to the construction of the wind farm. The construction items of concern are mainly noise and traffic with the operational impact on the landscape another point of discussion. Consideration will be given to the following: VisitScotland Wind Farm Consumer Research in 2012; TNS Survey Attitudes and Knowledge of Renewable Energy amongst the General Public commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry, Scottish Executive, National Assembly for Wales and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment North Ireland in 2003; MORI Scotland Survey Tourist Attitudes to Wind Farms commissioned by the Scottish Renewables Forum and British Wind Energy Association in 2002; and MORI Scotland Survey Attitudes and Knowledge of Renewable Energy commissioned by the Scottish Executive in 2003.

2 Camster II Wind Farm Scoping Report Employment and Tourism Tourism in the region includes amenities such as hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, self catering accommodation, camping sites and public houses in addition to local visit attractions which will be identified using Visit Scotland 2, Undiscovered Scotland 3, Caithness-business 4 and other sources of economic and tourism information Methods Whilst there are no recognised standards or methodologies for assessing the socio-economic effects of wind farms, a common approach is emerging from the experience gained from the assessment of other wind farms at both the project and plan level Desktop Study A desktop study and assessment will be undertaken using data from available sources. This will also take into account the results of consultation. The proposed study area will extend 5km from the site boundary. This is to be agreed with the Highland Council as part of the scoping process Local Economy Settlements within the study area will be identified, and their approximate population and key characteristics recorded. This will include a review of information contained within the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. The economic effect in the area will be considered in terms of employment and direct support to the local economy. This is will include an assessment against the phases of the proposed wind farm development including job creation during the construction phases (including the use of local contractors) and indirect benefits to the community, such as the Contractor using local services e.g. accommodation, restaurants and shops Public Access Guidance on public access and wind farm best practice documents will be referred to and applied. For example the British Horse Society advocates a standoff distance of 200m from bridleways. The Scottish Planning Policy and statutory access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 allows for consideration for access issues and protection of core routes and access rights. This is also contained within PAN 65 Planning and Open Space (revised 2008). Safety notices informing any users of any construction works being undertaken within the development boundary will be issued on site to inform any users of any works. The locations of these will be discussed with the Highland Council Public Perception The main properties and settlements within the study area will be identified, and their approximate population and key characteristics recorded. Information from a number of public attitude surveys such as Attitudes and Knowledge of Renewable Energy amongst the General Public (TNS, 2003) and MORI Scotland (2002, 2003, 2012) will be taken into account

3 Camster II Wind Farm Scoping Report Tourism A full review of national and regional tourism strategies, together with publically available statistics for the area will be undertaken. The desktop study will identify key attractions and features within 20km of the site. A variety of online sources will be visited including VisitScotland and a site visit undertaken to gather publically available information such as leaflets and gain local information on attractions and activities Public Safety Given the upland nature of the proposed wind farm, impact from weather conditions and public safety, such as ice throw, will be considered. A buffer of topple distance plus 10% (in this case a candidate turbine of 126.5m plus 10% equating to a 139m buffer) has been applied to the footpath which runs eat to east across the site to inform the land available for development. This will minimise potential impacts on public safety Proposed Assessment Methodology The proposed development has the potential to deliver both positive and negative impacts on a wide range of social infrastructure, recreation and tourism assets and economic activities. Table 13.1 provides a definition of the sensitivity criteria. Table 13.1: Sensitivity Criteria Descriptor or Criteria Very High Sensitivity High Sensitivity Medium Sensitivity Low Sensitivity Negligible Sensitivity Description The receptor has little or no capacity to absorb change without fundamentally altering its present character, is of very high socio-economic, environmental or tourism value, or of international importance. The receptor has low capacity to absorb change without fundamentally altering its present character, is of high socio-economic, environmental or tourism value, or of national importance. The receptor has moderate capacity to absorb change without significantly altering its present character, has some socio-economic, environmental or tourism value, or is of regional importance. The receptor is tolerant of change without detriment to its character, is low socioeconomic, environmental or tourism value, or local importance. The receptor is resistant to change and is of little socio-economic, environmental or tourism value.

4 Camster II Wind Farm Scoping Report 78 Table 13.2 below identifies the magnitude criteria which will be used to inform the assessment. Table 13.2: Magnitude Criteria Descriptor or Criteria High Magnitude Medium Magnitude Low Magnitude Negligible Magnitude Description Total loss or major alternation to key elements/features of the baseline conditions such that post development character/composition of baseline condition will be fundamentally changed. Examples: Socio-economic: major long term (5+ years) alternation of community profile (including community cohesion and stability) and business structure. Tourism: Loss of icon tourist asset of national significance, resulting in reduction in national tourism numbers. Loss or alteration to one or more key elements/features of the baseline conditions such that post development character/composition of the baseline condition will be materially changed. Examples: Socio-economic: A noticeable long-term alternation of community profile (including community cohesion & stability) and business structure. Tourism: Substantial change to regional tourism numbers. Region considered less/more attractive place to visit. Minor shift away from baseline conditions. Changes arising from the alteration will be detectable but not material; the underlying character/composition of the baseline condition will be similar to the pre-development situation. Examples: Socio-economic: A short term alternation of community profile (including community cohesion & stability) and business structure. Tourism: A small and short term change to regional tourism numbers. Very little change from baseline conditions. Change is barely distinguishable, approximating to a no change situation. By combining the sensitivity of the resource with the predicted magnitude of change, the significance of the effect can be determined. This is undertaken following Table The significance of effects can be beneficial or adverse.

5 Camster II Wind Farm Scoping Report 79 Table 13.3: Assessment of Significance Sensitivity Magnitude High Medium Low Negligible Very High Major Major Moderate Minor High Major Moderate Minor Minor Medium Moderate Moderate Minor Negligible Low Minor Minor Negligible Negligible Negligible Minor Negligible Negligible Negligible Note: Shaded boxes indicate a significant effect in terms of EIA. The ES will include: An assessment of the potential effects of the proposed wind farm on the existing community facilities and businesses in the study area during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases; An assessment of how the proposed development fits with socio-economic regional and local planning policies and economic strategies; An assessment of the potential effects from the proposed development on existing employment levels and local and regional economic activity. The effects will be adverse, neutral or beneficial, although these will not be quantified in monetary values, the importance of the attribute will be assessed; An assessment of the current forestry management plan; An assessment of any cumulative effects in relation to other wind farms and developments in the study area; and The evaluation of identified effects will be based on an assessment of their magnitude and the importance of the affected resources/receptors to determine the significance of an identified impact Aspects to be Scoped Out Aspects of this assessment require a defined scope that needs to be established through consultation with the Highland Council. Those aspects identified as likely to be insignificant will be scoped out with remaining aspects taken forward into detailed assessment as part of the EIA process Summary and Conclusions Baseline information will be collated from a variety of publicly available sources as well as through consultation with the Highland Council and tourism and recreational stakeholders. The assessment will ensure adverse and beneficial effects are identified assessed taking into account the criteria described in Tables 13.1 and The assessment will report the residual effects of the proposed development on the local community.

6 Camster II Wind Farm Scoping Report References VisitScotland (2012). Wind Farm Consumer Research. TNS Survey (2003). Attitudes and Knowledge of Renewable Energy amongst the General Public. Commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry, Scottish Executive, National Assembly for Wales and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment North Ireland. MORI Scotland Survey (2002). Tourist Attitudes to Wind Farms. Commissioned by the Scottish Renewables Forum and British Wind Energy Association. MORI Scotland Survey (2003). Attitudes and Knowledge of Renewable Energy. Commissioned by the Scottish Executive. Scottish Government (2008). PAN 65 Planning and Open Space. Crown copyright.